Overview:

: It is an historic cemetery located in the Cuban city of Havana. It is the largest cemetery in Cuba and is considered one of the most important cemeteries in the Caribbean. It contains the graves of many prominent people, including José Martí, Virgilio Paz, and other noted figures from Cuba’s history. The cemetery is also home to a number of monuments and other artwork, including sculptures and reliefs. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Cuba
Prominent Features:

, El Cementerio de Cristóbal Colón (christened after Christopher Columbus) is one of the most renowned cemeteries in the world. It is located in the city of Havana and contains over 500 monuments and mausoleums that were built over at least 130 years. Highlights at the cemetery include ornate marble sculptures, grand Mausoleum palaces, lavish tombs adorned with religious symbols, and memorial walls dedicated to past Cuban celebrities and dignitaries. Visitors will also find the grave sites of famous former Cuban presidents, like Fidel Castro, Fulgencio Batista, and Gerardo Machado. This national monument of Cuba portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Cementerio de Cristóbal Colón (Christopher Columbus Cemetery) in Havana, Cuba, was officially opened on November 19, 1876. It is the largest cemetery in Cuba, and one of the most renowned in the world. In 1996 UNESCO designated the cemetery as a "World Heritage Site" for its historical and artistic value. The cemetery was designed by architect Calixto Arellano De Loira y Cardoso, who believed in creating a "garden of mystery and emotion which will be an eternal resting place." In 1983, a renovation project was started in order to preserve its historical past. The renovation plan included the restoration of many of the monuments, tombs, and sculptures. As part of the project, an extensive research was done to restore the original spaces and restore all the sculptures according to their original forms. The cemetery is divided into four sections. The main entrance is located at the second section, known as “Parade of Cypresses”, which features well-manicured gardens, paths, and ornamental trees. The third and fourth sections are built along a wide cross of cypresses. Throughout these two sections, visitors can see a variety of tombs, monuments, sculptures, and other works of art. The cemetery is also home to several famous Cubans. Among the many noteworthy people buried in the cemetery are Cuban writers, musicians, poets, politicians, actors, and other prominent personalities. The cemetery also hosts several cultural activities, such as concerts, poetry readings, art exhibitions, and festivals, in order to keep people connected to their deceased loved ones. The Cementerio de Cristóbal Colón is a place of history, emotion, and mystery, where visitors can explore the life and death of a unique nation. It is an essential destination when visiting Havana, Cuba. You must visit one of these historical places in Cuba on your Cuba tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Cemetery of Christopher Columbus (Cementerio de Cristóbal Colón) in Havana posthumously pays tribute to some of Cuba’s most influential figures. Generals, politicians, and poets, all can be found here, in more than 500 mausoleums, family vaults, and crypts, lined along gently rolling hills. 2. The cemetery was first established in 1871, and subsequently replaced a number of well-known cemeteries dating back to the mid-18th century. 3. Right at the heart of the cemetery lies the impressive memorial to Christopher Columbus himself. The elaborate neo-Classical structure was built in the 1930s, and was created with finesse by Italian sculptor Miguel Angel Campa. 4. The cemetery is also the final resting place for Cuban revolutionaries, such as Antonio Maceo and José Martí, and literary figures, such as Alejo Carpentier. 5. The cemetery was declared a National Monument in 1958 because of its historical significance, and it is one of the most visited monuments in Havana. 6. At the cemetery, visitors will find the House of Cats, several fountains, a Protestant chapel, a morgue, and a memorial to victims of the wars of independence. 7. The cemetery also has an impressive crypt, the Parochial Crypt of Santa Ifigenia, which is the largest cemetery crypt in Latin America. 8. Not surprisingly, considering its size, the cemetery boasts its own ecosystem, with various species of birds and turtles – most of which are protected. Visit one of the famous monuments of Cuba with your friends and family.